How to Prep Your Skin Before Plastic Surgery
How to Prep Your Skin Before Plastic Surgery
In order to feel as prepared as possible for plastic surgery, there are a few things you can do to help prep your skin before plastic surgery. Read on to learn how you can best prepare your skin before having plastic surgery.
Shower
A great way to prep your skin before plastic surgery is by taking a shower. You will want to make sure you are thoroughly cleaning your body and all of the skin on your body with antibacterial soap, but especially the skin on the area that you are about to have surgery on. While the surgeon and his or her team will also clean the area on the day of surgery and right before surgery, you can do your part by coming into the surgery center with already clean skin to have peace of mind that your skin will be extremely clean when it is actually time for surgery.
Say No to Tanning
Whether you like a nice glow from artificial spray tans or you spend time outside tanning, you should avoid these practices before major plastic surgery. Two to three weeks before surgery, you should avoid the sun, tanning beds, and tanning lotion. You want to go into surgery with as healthy skin as possible, and you don’t want your skin to have damage from a recent healing sunburn or some kind of infection. Spray tanning or tans that you rub on are also best if avoided before surgery because the surgeon will want to see your skin in its natural state to best perform the surgery and to monitor your body during surgery. If you normally spend some time tanning, take a break from it in the weeks prior to surgery.
Plan Out Chemical Treatments or Hair Colorings
It is recommended that you plan any chemical treatments or hair colorings well in advance of your surgery. Particularly if you are having surgery in the face area and above the shoulders (like a facelift, neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, otoplasty, or rhinoplasty, for example) you will want to be very careful about limiting chemical interaction with your skin in these areas before surgery. This includes getting your hair colored and/or getting chemical face peels. In general, you should try to get these appointments in 3 to 5 days before surgery, but ask your surgeon if there is a different time frame you need to follow.
No Makeup or Lotion
The day of surgery, you should come into surgery with no makeup or lotion on. Makeup and lotion are artificial products, and your surgeon will want the surface he or she is working on to be as clean as possible. As such, you will want to avoid these products the day of surgery. Makeup may carry some bacteria from your brushes and lotions can sometimes be difficult to completely remove when prepping the surgery site. Come in on surgery day in your natural state as it is the cleanest and healthiest option for you.
While your surgical team will spend time prepping your skin for a safe surgery on the day of surgery, there are also things you can do to help prep your skin before surgery. We understand that the dos and don'ts of surgery can be overwhelming at times– but you are not alone. Book an appointment or a free consultation with VIP Concierge Care today! We can help answer any questions you may have or be a liaison between you and your surgical team, advocating for you and your needs.